Compliance Updates
FDJ: Conclusion of the European Commission’s investigation
FDJ takes note of the European Commission’s decision concluding that no State aid was granted to FDJ during its privatisation and that the equalisation payment should be re-evaluated from €380 million to €477 million, i.e. an additional sum of €97 million.
This decision concludes the formal investigation that the European Commission opened on 26 July 2021 to determine whether the €380 million sum that FDJ paid to secure its exclusive rights to operate point-of-sale sports betting and the lottery for a 25-year term, was appropriate.
FDJ welcomes the closure of this investigation and the European Commission’s confirmation, in line with the French Conseil d’Etat’s decision of 14 April 2023, that the legal framework adopted when the Group was privatised was robust.
FDJ has also taken note of the additional equalisation amount, valued by the European Commission at €97 million. The equalisation payment re-evaluated at €477 million is within the range initially established by the French Commission des participations et des transferts in its opinion no. 2019-A.C.-1 of 7 October 2019.
Impact on net profit and on the calculation of the dividend per share
This additional equalisation payment is recognised as an intangible asset – “exclusive operating rights”, in the same way as the initial amount of €380 million. As such, it will be amortised over 25 years starting on 23 May 2019, which is the effective date of the Pacte Law no. 2019-486.
FDJ Group announces that it will base its future dividend payments, beginning with those relating to its results for the 2024 financial year, on the adjusted net profit.
This adjusted net profit reflects FDJ’s actual economic performance and allows the Group to monitor and compare its performance against its competitors. It is based on the consolidated net profit restated for the following items:
- In 2024:
- the additional amortisation over the 2019-2023 period recognised under exclusive rights in France amounting to €17.9 million.
- The non-cash impact of the currency hedge relating to the acquisition of Kindred Group, which is recognised under financial result.
- Depreciation and amortisation of intangible and tangible assets recognised or revalued when allocating the purchase price of business combinations.
- And changes in tax resulting from these items.
Note that total amortisation of exclusive operating rights will amount to €37.0 million in 2024 and €19.1 million in 2025 after €15.2 million in 2023.
FDJ Group recalls that since 10 May and the French Court of Cassation’s ruling in favour of the FDJ Group in its dispute with Soficoma, which enabled it to cancel 3% of its share capital, the Group’s share capital now stands at 185,270,000 shares.
The post FDJ: Conclusion of the European Commission’s investigation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Allwyn
UK High Court Rejects Legal Challenges Relating to the National Lottery Licence
On 17 April 2026, the UK High Court rejected in full the claims brought by The New Lottery Company Limited (TNLC) and Northern & Shell PLC (N&S) against the Gambling Commission in relation to the award of the Fourth National Lottery Licence.
In summary, the claims alleged that the Gambling Commission had wrongly awarded the Fourth National Lottery Licence to Allwyn, and that instead, TNLC should have won the competition. The claims also alleged that the Gambling Commission and Allwyn had entered into impermissible modifications to the Licence arrangements following the competition.
The lengthy trial of the claims took place in the High Court before Mrs Justice Joanna Smith between 9 October and 2 December 2025, with an additional day on 13 January 2026.
The High Court has now ruled in favour of the Gambling Commission on all of the claims, rejecting the allegations which had been made.
This is an important judgment for the future of The National Lottery. This judgment makes clear that the Gambling Commission ran a fair and robust competition to award the Fourth National Lottery Licence, and that none of the contested changes to the Licence, in the course of its implementation, were substantial or contrary to the relevant procurement regulations.
The judgment gives resounding support to Good Causes by enabling Allwyn, with oversight from the Commission, to continue with their plans of investment in The National Lottery without further distraction.
The National Lottery is one of the world’s largest lotteries and since launching in 1994, National Lottery players have collectively raised more than £52 billion for more than 670,000 Good Causes across the UK, transforming lives and contributing to the arts, sport, heritage and communities.
The post UK High Court Rejects Legal Challenges Relating to the National Lottery Licence appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
GLI Welcomes Around 300 Regulators to its 26th Annual Regulators Roundtable
Approximately 300 regulators from 16 countries attended the 26th annual Regulators Roundtable presented by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). The event was hosted April 15-16 at the Palms Las Vegas.
The topics covered were as diverse as the attendees and included artificial intelligence, asset protection, cashless gaming, cyber resilience, digital responsible gaming interventions, geolocation, lottery modernization, patron protection, prediction markets, risk analysis, and sports betting.
Sports performance psychologist and author of Life as Sport Dr. Jonathan Fader delivered the keynote address. He spoke about how proven sport-performance psychology applies to the realities of today’s workplace, including high expectations, constant change, and pressure to perform.
In addition to the presentations and breakout sessions, GLI hosted an Innovation Tech Hub, which featured live demonstrations from Bulletproof, EPIC Global Solutions, Evive, GLI University, Kobetron, KOIN, and Marker Trax.
“We are grateful to the approximately 300 regulators from across North America and around the world who came to Las Vegas to learn more about what’s next and what’s on the horizon in gaming technology. It is important for regulators to stay as far ahead of technologies and issues as possible, and that is the purpose of the Regulators Roundtable, and we are honored to present the conference,” said GLI President & CEO, James Maida.
GLI announced the next Regulators Roundtable will take place April 7-8, 2027, at the Palms Las Vegas.
The post GLI Welcomes Around 300 Regulators to its 26th Annual Regulators Roundtable appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Aviator LLC
Aviator Studio Brazil wins two consecutive instances in São Paulo appeal court against SPRIBE injunction
- Another attempt by SPRIBE to mislead the industry fails as two consecutive instances reject requested injunction
- Decision allows Aviator Brasil to continue operating while the court examines the broader AVIATOR trademark dispute
Aviator Studio Brazil has secured two consecutive court decisions in São Paulo, Brazil, rejecting attempts by SPRIBE to impose an injunction on its operations.
The rulings, delivered by the São Paulo Court of Appeals (2nd Reserved Chamber of Business Law) on 16 April, were in favour of the defendants overall. The court rejected the injunction request against the group, allowing Aviator Studio Brazil to continue operating in the market with partners such as Foggo Entertainment (Blaze) while the broader trademark dispute is examined through the normal judicial process.
Contextualising Separate Proceedings
This victory in the group proceedings follows an announcement by SPRIBE on 15 April regarding a separate matter involving NSX Betnacional. Aviator LLC clarified that neither the company nor the operator were aware of those specific proceedings initially. As soon as that separate matter became known, Aviator Studio Brazil immediately took action to assume responsibility for defending the legitimate use of the brand, providing NSX Betnacional with all legal support required.
Key Court Findings
The Court of Appeals based its decision on the following key findings:
- Lack of likelihood of success on the merits: While SPRIBE claims exclusive ownership of the “AVIATOR” trademark, the court found substantial controversy regarding the validity of those rights both domestically and internationally.
- Absence of irreparable harm: The court determined there is no imminent or irreparable harm that would justify immediate intervention.
- Valid licensing: The court emphasised that Aviator Studio Brazil has been commercially operating under the “AVIATOR” mark based on a licence from Aviator LLC, the regularity and effects of which shall be examined during the proceedings.
Protecting the AVIATOR Ecosystem
Aviator Studio Brazil joined the proceedings and supported its operator partners, including Foggo Entertainment (Blaze) by fulfilling all indemnity and defence obligations under its Software Licence Agreement.
The company has affirmed that it stands fully behind its partners, taking responsibility to defend, indemnify, and hold them harmless in relation to the use of the AVIATOR brand and product. This reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to protecting its partners and the integrity of the AVIATOR ecosystem.
In relation to the NSX Betnacional matter, Aviator LLC confirmed that neither it nor Betnacional were aware of the proceedings initially.
As soon as the matter became known, Aviator Studio Brazil immediately took action to support its partner Betnacional and assume responsibility for defending the legitimate use of the AVIATOR brand.
International Context
Aviator LLC stated that these outcomes reinforce its long-standing position that attempts to secure early-stage injunctions are not reflective of the merits of the case. This follows earlier proceedings in the United Kingdom High Court, where an interim injunction obtained by SPRIBE was clarified as a narrow procedural step with no bearing on ownership or the final outcome of the dispute.
With no findings made against Aviator LLC’s underlying rights in Brazil and courts declining to grant urgent relief, the company continues its operations while remaining confident in its legal position as proceedings progress across multiple jurisdictions.
Commenting on the decision, George Pruidze, CEO at Aviator Studio, said: “Following two consecutive victories in both the trial court and appeal courts in São Paulo, it is clear there is no basis for the urgent measures sought by SPRIBE. Aviator Studio Brazil continues to operate lawfully under licence, and we remain fully committed to supporting our partners and defending the AVIATOR brand wherever necessary.
“As similar actions by SPRIBE continue to trigger proceedings in Brazil, including the ongoing matter involving Betnacional, we will continue to stand behind our partners and ensure the legitimate use of the AVIATOR brand is protected. We are confident that the same facts and legal position will continue to prevail as these cases progress.”
The post Aviator Studio Brazil wins two consecutive instances in São Paulo appeal court against SPRIBE injunction appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
Caesars Digital7 days agoRubyPlay partners with Caesars Entertainment in Ontario to advance North American expansion
-
Amazons’ Wonders6 days agoSYNOT Games Enters into Partnership with Bulgarian Operator BETVAM
-
Africa7 days agoTaDa Gaming joins inaugural iGaming AFRIKA Summit in Nairobi
-
Aviator7 days agoSPRIBE Wins Interim Injunction in Brazil – Court Orders Betnacional to Immediately Cease Unauthorized Use of “AVIATOR”
-
Asia6 days agoS8UL signs Team Question Mark roster for PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS ahead of EWC 2026
-
Caesars Digital7 days agoRubyPlay partners with Caesars Entertainment in Ontario to advance North American expansion
-
Blueprint Gaming7 days agoBlueprint Gaming adds pots mechanic to Cash Strike with Triple Action Cash Strike
-
bingo6 days agoThe Swedish Bingo Association Receives a Reprimand for Lack of Information in Bingo Halls



